Chapped Lips: Taming the red ring, curing the winter problem
You know it's winter when nearly all the kids in a preschool have those tell-tale red rings around their lips. Winter is hard on our skin - from head to toe - but especially on our lips.
Posted — UpdatedYou know it's winter when nearly all the kids in a preschool have those tell-tale red rings around their lips. Winter is hard on our skin – from head to toe – but especially on our lips.
“When lips feel dry or chapped, the natural reaction is to lick your lips," Dr. Ferguson said.
Constant licking to relieve discomfort can cause lip licker’s dermatitis, a red rash that forms around the mouth. The saliva from habitual lip licking irritates the skin – the constant cycle causes chapped lips to extend over the lip borders and create that telltale red ring.
One solution is to use a healthy emollient such as Aquaphor or Vaseline, which create a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss, Dr. Ferguson said.
Liberally coat your child’s mouth and skin as often as possible throughout the day, and especially, before bed. Dr. Ferguson recommends avoiding stick formulations as some contain ingredients that will continue to dry out the lips.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.